What to know before a replacement block drive in Holywood
Holywood is a smaller town, and many of its homes have more frontage to work with than city houses, which leaves room for borders and planting.
Dropped kerbs in Northern Ireland go through DfI Roads, so we build that timing into the plan for new drives.
How much does a replacement block drive cost in Holywood?
Expect replacement block drives in Holywood to come in at around £90–£170 per m², including VAT at 20%. As an example, a 45 m² replacement drive usually comes to between £4,050 and £7,700.
| Item | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| Replace tarmac or concrete with block (incl. break-out) | £90–£170 per m² |
| Breaking out an old surface | £9.50–£40 per m² |
| Edging or kerb, bedded and haunched | £19–£50 per metre |
| Typical channel drain run | £330–£950 |
| Dropped kerb (vehicle crossover) construction | £950–£2,850 |
Guide figures for Northern Ireland, checked 9 November 2026. See all prices or use the guide price tool.
What does a replacement block drive involve?
Replacing an old drive with block paving means breaking out the existing tarmac, concrete or gravel, checking what is underneath, and then building a block drive on a sound base. Many older tarmac and concrete drives have cracked, sunk or broken up, which is why this is such a common way into block paving.
- New edging, sub-base where needed, and the block drive
- Break-out of the old surface with waste removal and skip or grab lorry
- Drainage added where the old drive sent water to the house or road
- Assessment of the old base: keep, top up or replace
- Levels set below the damp-proof course with falls away from the house
Before we price your replacement block drive
- Ground conditions under the old surface and how deep the sub-base must be
- Where rain will go: falls, lawn, border, channel or soakaway
- Where an electric vehicle charger cable might run
- Levels against the damp-proof course (the finished paving must sit at least 150 mm below it)
- Edges against lawns, beds, walls and neighbours
Planning and kerb rules in Holywood
Holywood is in Northern Ireland, so these rules apply:
In Northern Ireland, a hard surface between the front of the house and the road that covers or replaces more than 5 m² must be porous or permeable, or drain to a permeable area within the property, to be permitted development.
Hard surfaces within the grounds of a listed building need listed building consent. Planning is handled by your district council, so check with its planning office if you are unsure.
Dropped kerbs in Northern Ireland are approved by DfI Roads (the Department for Infrastructure), not the council; check planning separately with the council.
General guidance, not legal advice. Your survey confirms what applies to your home. See the planning guide.
From enquiry to finished paving
Tell us about the job
Use the form, the quote tool, WhatsApp or a call.
We take a look
A survey visit, or photos for smaller repair and cleaning jobs.
Price in writing
Every line itemised, including the dig, edging and drainage.
Booked and built
Agreed start date, then the work, the final clean-down and the joint top-up.
How we work
One point of contact
You deal with one team from survey to sign-off, with work carried out by paving teams working under S&K.
Edges set in concrete
Every edge restraint is bedded and haunched, so the paving cannot creep.
Repair before replace
If your drive can be fixed or re-laid, we will say so.
Honest timescales
We tell you how long the job takes and what can delay it, such as approvals and weather.
Replace an old drive in Holywood: questions
Can you match the blocks to my house in Holywood?
We bring samples to the survey and suggest blocks and borders that suit the age and brick of the house. Final colour is your choice.
What happens to my old drive?
It is broken out and taken away by skip or grab lorry, listed as its own line on your quote.
How much does a replacement block drive cost in Holywood?
Our guide for Holywood is £90–£170 per m² including VAT, so a 45 m² replacement drive is usually about £4,050–£7,700. Your fixed price follows the survey.
Is the survey in Holywood free?
Yes, for new paving here: the survey and written quote are free with no obligation. Repairs and cleaning are usually priced from photos, or from a short visit where needed.
Replace an old drive near Holywood
Nearby towns we cover for replace an old drive, and replace an old drive across County Down:
- Replace an old drive in Dundonald
- Replace an old drive in Newtownards
- Replace an old drive in Bangor, County Down
- Replace an old drive in Comber
- Replace an old drive in Carryduff
- Replace an old drive in Donaghadee
